It is possible to get a semi-FMS running in your shop, although it is extremely different from what is used on the field this year. It's a stripped-down version of the 2009 FMS which as far as I can tell from FIRST's site is still compatible with the classmates. It can be found at the bottom of the page
here
I'm obviously not an expert or anything on how the FMS works internally, but here's my impression of how the system works. When you connect your DS to the field, the FMS detects it and starts broadcasting commands, and the DS returns status data. This is the "FMS Connected" state shown on the main tab. Once the robot establishes a connection, it talks with the DS. As far as I know, there is no direct FMS-cRIO communication, other than the DS packets passing through the main FMS box on their way to the field router. No idea what happens internally there.
If you're able to reproduce the problem on FMS Light, I'd suggest getting in contact with FIRST HQ and talk with the writer of the FMS software. They'd have much better debugging experience.
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